Ferguson, MO (KTRS) The newly built Ferguson Community Empowerment Center is officially open.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday for the Urban League’s over $3 million facility that was constructed on the site where the Quik Trip once stood along West Florissant. The convenience store burned to the ground during the Ferguson riots in 2014 following the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown during a police confrontation.
Hundreds attended the celebration. Among those was St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.
“What a truly remarkable transformation this facility represents. From a site that was symbolic of the unrest in our community, we now have a facility that represents true hope.” Stenger said to the crowd.
Ferguson Councilman Wesley Bell shared in this enthusiasm as he reflected on the changes since the civil unrest,
“Look at what started with our courts. Starting in Ferguson and expanding not only through our region and our state, but now we’re having discussions about court reform holistically across the country and that started right here.”
The facility will house several educational and job training programs, including the “Save Our Sons” program. It was funded through the private sector, including donations from Emerson, U.S. Bank, and Ameren. The project also received $1 million from St. Louis County through tax credits.
